Main Entry: ¹ten·ant

Pronunciation: \ˈte-nənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of tenir to hold

Date: 14th century

1 a : one who holds or possesses real estate or sometimes personal property (as a security) by any kind of right b : one who has the occupation or temporary possession of lands or tenements of another; specifically : one who rents or leases (as a house) from a landlord
2 : occupant, dweller

— ten·ant·less \-ləs\ adjective